Clipstone’s unbeaten run ended at 10 games

Clipstone were the Toolstation NECL Division One in-form team coming into this game, having only lost two of their previous 20 league games, Knaresborough having lost four of their previous 10.

The early exchanges were to and fro with Clipstone looking the more settled side, even though Ed Eley was the first keeper to be called upon, making two excellent saves in the opening minutes.

Clipstone had a period of dominating possession on 13 minutes, Jason Edwards and Kieran Watson having three great efforts within the space of 10 seconds with Knaresborough’s keeper Weston Muran making two fine saves from narrow angles and Watson’s thunderous drive smashing against the outside of the post.

Edwards had the keeper scrambling for position with a superb first time half volley, only to see the ball flying inches over the bar.

Just after, a very contentious decision from the officials saw Watson given offside direct from a throw in.

It was no suprise when Clipstone took the lead on 21 minutes.

A corner over on the right, taken by Lewis Jackson, was driven towards the penalty spot where Rob Austin met it with a thunderous header, taking a couple of deflections, the latter off Kieran Watson, before flying into the back of the net.

On 31 minutes there was a case of double handbags

Knaresborough’s Blaine Hobson had just left a foot in with a challenge on Clipstone keeper Ed Eley, and, immediately there was another coming together with Town’s Colin Heath and Clipstone’s Rob Austin, Heath was very close to doing a Alan Pardew, which the referee did see but this time only showing Heath a yellow card.

On 33 minutes Clipstone were on the attack again when Ian Hillier dinked a chip into the path of Edwards, who acrobatically tried to connect with the ball, but didn’t enough purchase and the keeper saving easily.

Knaresborough started the second half much more brightly, Clipstone defenders Austin Weaver Leggitt and Paling put under pressure but coping admirably.

But it appeared the midfielders were struggling to make it all the way back to help the defenders out.

This was apparent on 52 minutes when Clipstone’s Lewis Jackson lost possession 25 yards out from the Knaresborough goal, and the away team broke in force.

A through ball let Colin Heath, who was lucky to still be on the pitch, break one on one with Ed Eley, this time the keeper having no chance of rescuing the Cobras’ blushes.

Brett Marshall made his first substitution on 65 minutes as Kristian Watson replaced Nathan Millington.

Unfortunately he had hardly anytime to get into the game before the home side were behind for the first time in a long time, Dominic Wilson producing a wonderful strike, leaving Eley without a chance of saving.

Just to rub salt into the wounds, Heath scored his second and Knaresborough’s third on 75 minutes when he latched unmarked onto a cross and volleyed past Eley.

Clipstone made their second change on 83 minutes as Rob Camm replaced James Leggitt.

CLIPSTONE: Eley, Paling, Leggitt (Camm), Weaver, Austin, Carty, Hillier, Edwards, Watson, Jackson, Millington (Kristian Watson).

CLIPSTONE MAN OF THE MATCH: Ed Eley.